Squizzy TaylorWell known 20th century

criminal in Richmond.1888 – 1927

Alex Albanis

1. Explain how crime has had a major impact in Richmond. 2. How did the Police deal with the crime in Richmond. 3. What caused Richmond to have so much crime. 4. Why did Taylor commit so many murders. 5. Who were the Fitzroy Vendetta. 6. How was Taylor portrayed in Richmond as .. 7. What caused Taylor to come to an end. 8. What steps took place from him being a jockey to the ‘20th

century Melbourne based gangster.9. Why were there gang wars.

10. Why did Squizzy Taylor hide for over a year?

During the 1900’s -30’s period, what were the major criminal events that took place by Squizzy Taylor .

Crime has had a major impact in Richmond as some criminals such as Squizzy Taylor committed many crimes such as:

Pickpocketing and minor offences (1907-12) –Taylor roamed the streets looking for trouble and was arrested many times for his theft, assault, offensive language. Taylor was sentenced and committed to 2 years of imprisonment for pickpocketing and the watch and chain of an unsuspecting punter at the Ballarat races in 1908. After the release of Taylor, he then continued what he did best and moved from one place to another to avoid detection by the Police.

Robbery and murder of Arthur Trotter (1913) –Trotter was a commercial traveller from MacRobertsons confectioners. Trotter was robbed of 200£ and murdered in front of his whole family in his home. (Fitzroy). Harold ‘bush’ Thompson was believed to be a criminal associate of Taylor’s murder of Trotter, but Police had no evidence that he was involved.

Explain how crime has had a major impact in Richmond. (1.)

Murder if William Haines (1916) –William Haines was employed at Glove Motor and Taxi Company. In march 1916, a anonymous man had telephoned the taxi company to order a taxi to take him to Eltham. Haines was shipped to drive the customer and was later found dead in the car in Heidelberg. Police believed that Taylor and John Williamson may of intended to rob a bank manager who was taking bank money. Police found that a grave had been dug up close to Clayton where the bank managers body was buried. The murder charge of William Haines failed and Taylor was then sentenced to imprisonment for 12 months.

Glenferrie robbery and murder of Tom Berriman (1923) – Thomas Berriman was a manager of a Commercial Bank in Hawthorn and was robbed of £1851 and wounded outside Glenferrie Station in 1923. Berriman was on his way to Glenferrie and was carrying a suitcase of money when 2 anonymous men approached him, one grabbed his suitcase and the other had a revolver and shot him in the chest. The men were identified a couple of weeks later as one of them being an escaped prisoner from Geelong Gaol. They were arrested in St Kilda. Squizzy Taylor had been approved to be the organiser of the robbery and was charged. The harsh sentences resulted in life in prison or death.

These crimes concluded in having a harsh impact on Richmond’s society. Squizzy Taylor’s gang was the biggest threat towards Richmond as the gang was known as a violent crew as they were in a feud with rival criminals which lasted several months.

Taylor successfully hid from the Police between 1921-22 and Police could not track him down nor find him. Taylor was ‘always on the run’ to avoid detention from the Police as he was always in trouble too for minor or major offences. The Police could never exactly get exact proof of a situation which meant that they did not really do their job right at the time. The Police also did not put the criminals in imprisonment for long enough as they would just get out and keep continuing doing the same thing.

How did the Police deal with the crime in Richmond. (2.)

Crime spread in Richmond quite easy as there were more rivals each day for the Fitzroy Vendetta for there hatred with other gangs became stronger. More people being involved in the underworld of crime caused bigger gang wars and a higher death conclusion. Crime gradually builds up over time with people becoming introduced to this secret underworld gang industry.

What caused Richmond to have so much crime. (3.)

Taylor committed many murders for payback in many situations and rivalry against other gangs. He also killed many people to sustain territory. Taylor was a very aggressive and violent person which caused him to act quickly when talking to enemies.

Why did Taylor commit so many murders. (4.)

The Fitzroy Vendetta was Squizzy Taylor’s gang which had a violent reputation for assault and theft. The Fitzroy Vendetta carefully planned a robbery of £1435 of Diamond rings from Kilpatrick's and Co which is a Collins Street Jewellers. Two of the members were arrested and faced trial over the robbery and they were found innocent. This is an idea of what the gang usually did when available. They wanted to be portrayed as the most terrifying people in Richmond.

Who were the Fitzroy Vendetta.(5.)

Squizzy Taylor had a fearsome reputation, with dark eyes and a fairly tall man. He always wanted to impress the members of the under would. His family and gang members thought of him as an ‘mystery man’. Taylor was a product of the 1893 depression where drugs, alcohol, gambling and prostitution were major factors of this period of time when crime was big in Richmond.

How was Taylor portrayed as in Richmond. (6.)

Taylor was brought to an end when he was wounded in a gun fight by his rival gangster, John Daniel “Snowy” Cutmore, at a house in Carlton. Taylor passed away at St Vincent’s Fitzroy Hospital. Cutmore was previously a Fitzroy Vendetta member, Cutmore also had a reputation by the Police for assault, stealing and refusing arrest.

What caused Taylor to come to an end.(7.)

After Squizzy Taylor being a jockey for some time, he entered into the crime industry. Taylor had some friends at this time that were already in this underworld which was ‘peer pressure’. After Taylor committing assault and theft he was known to have a reputation by the Police which citizens described him as vicious and powerful.

What steps took place from him being a jockey to the ‘20th century Melbourne based gangster. (8.)

There were gang wars to remain turf in one another’s suburb or area. Taylor’s Fitzroy Vendetta (gang) had violent feuds between rival gangsters. Some of his rivals were previous members of the Fitzroy gang. The Fitzroy Vendetta lasted several months. This gang had some down sides in Taylor’s life as he ended his relationship with his first wife, Dolly.

Why were there gang wars. (9.)

Taylor successfully hid from the Police for over a year for money theft at a Commercial Bank in 1921. He was committed to stand at trial for a breaking and entering a warehouse and released on bail of £600. On the day of the trial, Taylor failed to appear at the trial with the bail money. Police searched for Taylor for over a year but had no luck and success finding him. The Police had located Taylor’s new girlfriend, Pender and found personal clothing and notes belonging to Taylor.

Why did Squizzy Taylor hide for over a year? (10.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squizzy_Taylor

http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/taylor-joseph-leslie-squizzy-8762

http://australiancrimes.com/crimes/squizzytaylor.html

http://wiki.prov.vic.gov.au/index.php/Joseph_Leslie_%E2%80%98Squizzy%E2%80%99_Taylor

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